sports drinks

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi All,
Happy New Year,
I was curious to see what type of sports drink you all use. We have been using powdered gatorade forever for mt biking, backpacking, hiking etc. I was just wondering is there is anything better out there on the market. I always take a sports drink when I am going to be out for more than an hour.

What do you all like?????

Thanks,
Ruth

[Trekhawk]

Hi All,
Happy New Year,
I was curious to see what type of sports drink you all use. We have been using powdered gatorade forever for mt biking, backpacking, hiking etc. I was just wondering is there is anything better out there on the market. I always take a sports drink when I am going to be out for more than an hour.
What do you all like?????
Thanks,
Ruth

Hi rocknrollgirl - I drink Cytomax.

[Veronica]

Gatorade and Sustained Energy.

V.

[alpinerabbit]

water, dilute multivitamin fizzy, or coke (shaken to get the gas out)... of course I have never ridden long enough to require salt replenishment!

[yellow]

These days I like ElectroMix made by Alacer, the folks that make Emer'gen-C. It's potassium/calcium/chromium with a little bit of lemon-lime flavor and no sugar whatsoever. If you want to sweeten it up you can (I have, using a little bit of Cytomax), but I find I like it just the way it is. I learned about it from Bike Goddess last year (thanks BG!).

If I'm using sports gel (I like the Crank gels), then I use only water. I don't do that much any more, though. Too much sugar for my system.

When I ran I used Ultima. I doesn't have any sugar either, but is kind of spendy.

[Dogmama]

Hi rocknrollgirl - I drink Cytomax.

Me too. It doesn't give me the sugar rush/crash that some other do.

If I'm going to do intervals, or for some reason need an extra kick, I'll toss it about 1/4 C of Red Bull, Monster, or some other energy drink.

[nuthatch]

Gookinade - a powder available at REI. It's really great for replacing electrolytes without having lots of flavor or sweetness to it.

[Lise]

Gookinade - a powder available at REI. It's really great for replacing electrolytes without having lots of flavor or sweetness to it.

Thanks for the suggestions about low-sugar drinks. I know that part of the reason for the drink is quick calories, and that comes from sugar. But man, oh, man, it's just soooo sweet sometimes! I use Accelerade powder, and put one bottle of that and one bottle of water in the cages. After a long ride or run, I'll drink some Endurox. It's so sweet that I usually make it 1/2 strength. I think I'll try some of the lower sugar mixes and do half & half with Accelerade.

Lise

[Grog]

Half-Gatorade, Half-Water.

And, these days, after most rides, hot chocolate.

[DirtDiva]

Gookinade - a powder available at REI. It's really great for replacing electrolytes without having lots of flavor or sweetness to it.

Heck, I'd try that just for the name.

Personally, I tend to just use water, but I seldom go for more than a two-hour ride.

[traveller_62]

If the ride is under 2 hours, plain water is sufficient under most conditions...especially if I've planned ahead and have eaten a small carbo rich snack about an hour before the ride.

For rides over 2 hours I have a strategy similar to what Lise describes: One bottle of Accelerade and one bottle of water. I usually dilute the Accelerade more than the product calls for.

There are other products that I've found that taste better than Accelerade but none of them have worked as well for me in terms of hydration and sustained energy. I would experiment with several products and find the one that works for you.

Gatorade for example is a great product for a lot of people but it gives me cramps when I drink it -even diluted!

-traveller

[rocknrollgirl]

OK, so here is what I have learned so far. Everyone has their own special blend of drink that they like...makes sense, no overwhelming, screaming majority for one product.

Here is what I find interesting....that many of you do not take a sports drink for rides under two hours. Right now we typically mt bike between 90 and 120 mins a session. I always take one if we are going to be out over an hour. I wonder if I need to??? I am working up a good sweat, even in the cold temps. Hmmmmm.....
In the summer I know I need one without question, it is so stinking hot and humid here.

head scratchin' going on....

[Veronica]

You should be taking in some calories to fuel your ride.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

....that many of you do not take a sports drink for rides under two hours. Right now we typically mt bike between 90 and 120 mins a session. I always take one if we are going to be out over an hour. I wonder if I need to??? I am working up a good sweat, even in the cold temps. Hmmmmm.....

I always have Gatorade with me - even for short rides. And I always carry an energy bar too, just in case. I keep one stashed in my seat bag.

--- Denise

[rocknrollgirl]

Thanks, that is what I thought. Last saturday I ate two hours before we went, and was starving in the middle of the ride. I have been reminding myself whlie I ride that the calories are good, but I just started feeling like a weenie...